The buzz around Google Glass continues, but it's not all good. Some in Congress are raising privacy issues around the futuristic product.

Eight members of the House Privacy Caucus sent a letter to Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page. They have some questions about the privacy aspects of Google Glass. And they want answers.

"As members of the Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, we are curious whether this new technology could infringe on the privacy of average Americans," the letter says. "Because Google Glass has not yet been released and we are uncertain of Google's plans to incorporate privacy protections into the device, there are still a number of answered questions that we share."

Congressional Questions

The caucus then puts forth eight questions:

1. How does Google plan to prevent Google Glass from unintentionally collecting data about the user/non-user without consent?

2. What proactive steps is Google taking to protect the privacy of non-users when Google Glass is in use? Are product lifecycle guidelines and frameworks, such as Privacy By Design, being implemented in connection with its product design and commercialization?

3. When using Google Glass, is it true that this product would be able to use Facial Recognition Technology to unveil personal information about whomever and even some inanimate objects that the user is viewing? Would a user be able to request such information? Can a non-user or human subject opt out of this collection of personal data? If so, how? If not, why not?

4. Would Google place limits on the technology and what type of information it can reveal about another person? If so, explain. If not, why not?

5. Given Google Glass's sensory and processing capabilities, has Google considered making any additions or refinements to its privacy policy? If so, explain. If not, why not?

6. Would [device-specific] information be collected from users operating Google Glass? If so, what specific information is Google intending to collect? Would Google Glass collect any data about the user without the user's knowledge and consent? If so, why? If not, please explain.

7. To what extent was privacy considered in approving this app? Is Google planning to make privacy a priority for future app developers? If not, why not? If so, please explain.

8. Will Google Glass have the capacity to store any data on the device itself? If so, will Google Glass implement some sort of user authentication system to safeguard stored data? If not, why not? If so, please explain.

Does Google Have Answers?

Steve Lee, director of Glass, told Google I/O attendees that privacy was top of mind when designing Google Glass. Google also released a statement: "We are thinking very carefully about how we design Glass because new technology always raises new issues. Our Glass Explorer program, which reaches people from all walks of life, will ensure that our users become active participants in shaping the future of this technology."

We caught up with Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. He told us Google is getting ever closer to being regulated. In fact, he said, regulation could be the next step.

"Google's disregard for privacy is resulting in a pretty heavy focus by the government," Enderle said. "If Google had gotten ahead of this problem, they wouldn't be getting letters like this. So it's like Google is walking kind of blindly into the trap that they set for Microsoft years ago."

In response to the article Google Glass Raises Congressional Privacy Concerns, News Factor.
There are several pro's and con's with the new Google glasses.
The voice activated glasses can give you directions, locate restaurants,information when sight seeing and call 911 if you have an emergency. Which can be helpful when traveling.
On a negative note there is the invasion of privacy issue with the glasses. The glasses can video tape and take pictures without the person being photographed or taped realizing it. That is unless they are in close proximity and can see the light on the camera.
So with the glasses there should be strict guidelines to the usage restricting invading others privacy.

R Roberts:

Posted: 2013-05-26 @ 11:02am PT

I believe the glasses would be very cool. it will help a lot of us who are not very good with current tech.

j walters:

Posted: 2013-05-25 @ 9:10pm PT

There are several pros and cons with the new Google glasses. The glasses on a positive note could prove to be very helpful. They could help with giving directions,assisting with site seeing and call 911 through a voice activated device.
On a more negative note there is the privacy issue. A person wearing the glasses can easily use them as spy wear which is a big issue with privacy. They can video and take pictures without permission. There are already so many privacy issues with computers and identity theft. Do we really want to add another concern?

Daniel Tanner Seay:

Posted: 2013-05-24 @ 8:39pm PT

Although Google has came up with an almost revolutionary idea, this seems to pose many uncontrollable privacy threats. Yes Google can say they are taking all the necessary precautions when it comes to privacy yet if they try to control it to where the majority of citizens do not feel personally insecure or violated, I feel that Google Glass will not be near as revolutionary as it has potential to be.

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